Image processing device setting conflict determination

Abstract

An image processing device, having plural functions and executing at least any one of the plural functions based on a request from an application program, includes: a storage to store, from among plural setting information selectable to one of the plural functions, simultaneous use possible/impossible information being information concerning a combination of settings usable simultaneously or a combination of settings non-usable simultaneously; a selector to select any one of the plural setting information to at least any one of the plural functions based on the request from the application program; a discriminator to discriminate, by referring to the simultaneous use possible/impossible information, whether or not competitive setting information being the setting information non-usable simultaneously with the setting information selected by the selector exists; and a notification unit to notify the application program of information concerning the competitive setting information, when the discriminator discriminates that the competitive setting information exists.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image processing device which has plural includes one or more functions controlled by one or more function programs, the image processing devicecomprising:
 a processor configured to execute a first that controls execution of an application platform program corresponding to providing at least one of the plural functions of the image processing device a function program of the one or more function programs and that controls execution of a particular application program using that accesses the function provided by the first program, wherein the application platform program and the particular application program communicate with each other via an application-program-interface (“API”) module, wherein the first application platform program, the API module, and the particular application program have been installed on stored in the image processing device, and wherein the first application platform program can provide provides the function program in response to accordance with a request from each of a plurality of application programs; and 
 a storage unit configured to store that stores compatibility information, which is information concerning a combination of settings setting items capable of being used or a combination of settings setting items incapable of being used, 
 wherein the first program manages processor controls execution of the compatibility information, the particular application program selects any to select at least one setting of plural settings with respect to at least any one of the plural functions corresponding to function program provided by the first application platform program, 
 wherein the firstprocessor controls execution of the application platform program discriminates,to:
 receive from the particular application program an indication of the at least one setting selected by referring to the particular application program,   cause, in accordance with receipt of the indication of the at least one setting selected by the particular application program, identification, based on the compatibility information, of whether or not competitive setting information exists, the competitive setting information defining at least that a particular setting item corresponding to one of the plural settings selected by the particular application program at least one setting is incapable of being used with another setting item corresponding to another selected setting, and notifies   notify the particular application program of information concerning the competitive setting information, in a case where the first program discriminates that the competitive setting information exists is identified to exist, and   
 wherein the applicationprocessor controls execution of a program displays the notified informationto display an operation screen on an operation display unit based on the notified information. 
 
     
     
       2. An image processing device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the operation display unit displays the plural settings, and accepts a selection of the setting information from a user, and 
 wherein the particular application program changes operation display unit changes a display content of the operation display unit based on the notified information concerning the competitive setting information notified by the first program. 
 
     
     
       3. An image processing device according to  claim 2 , wherein the operation display unit discriminably displays, to the user, that a selection of at least one of the plural settings cannot be accepted, based on the information concerning the competitive setting information notified by the notification unit notified information. 
     
     
       4. An image processing device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the one or more functions is plural functions,  
 the storage unit stores plural of the compatibility information respectively corresponding to the plural functions, and 
 the first processor controls execution of the application platform program discriminates to cause identification of whether or not the competitive setting information exists, by referring to based on the compatibility information corresponding to a specified function. 
 
     
     
       5. An image processing device which has plural includes one or more function programs controlling one or more functions, the image processing device comprising:
 a processor configured to execute a first that controls execution of an application platform program corresponding to providing at least one a function program of plural functions of the image processing device the one or more function programs and that controls execution of a particular application program using that accesses the function provided by the first program, wherein the first application platform program and the particular application program communicate with each other via an application-program-interface (“API”) module, wherein the application platform program, the API module, and the particular application program have been installed on stored in the image processing device, and wherein the first application platform program can provide provides the function program in response to accordance with a request from each of a plurality of application programs; and 
 a storage unit configured to store that stores compatibility information, which is information concerning a combination of settings setting items capable of being used or a combination of settings setting items incapable of being used, 
 wherein the first program manages processor controls execution of the compatibility information, the particular application program selects any to select at least one setting of plural settings with respect to at least any one of the plural functions corresponding to function program provided by the first application platform program, and 
 the first program resetswherein the processor controls execution of the application platform program to cause a reset of a particular setting whose corresponding setting item is incapable of being used with a setting item corresponding to a setting selected by the particular application program to a predetermined attribute value, by referring tobased on the compatibility information. 
 
     
     
       6. An image processing device according to  claim 5 , wherein the first processor controls execution of the application platform program notifies to notify the particular application program of the predetermined attribute value. 
     
     
       7. An image processing device according to  claim 6 , further comprising a display unit configured to display that displays the plural settings,
 wherein the application program updates the display on the display unit updates a display concerning the particular setting whose corresponding setting item is incapable of being used with the setting item corresponding to the setting selected by the particular application program, based on the notified predetermined attribute value notified by the notification unit. 
 
     
     
       8. An image processing device according to  claim 5 , wherein the first processor controls execution of the application platform program sets to cause setting of the particular setting whose corresponding setting item is incapable of being used with the setting item corresponding to the setting selected by the particular application program, to be in a non-selectable state. 
     
     
       9. A control method implemented by an image processing device which has plural includes one or more functions controlled by one or more function programs and comprises a processor configured to execute and a first storage unit, the method comprising:
 controlling execution, via the processor, of an application platform program corresponding to providing at least one of plural functions of the image processing device and a function program of the one or more function programs; 
 controlling execution, via the processor, of a particular application program using that accesses the function provided by the first program; 
 controlling execution, via the processor, of an application-program-interface (“API”) module to transmit communication between the application platform program and the particular application program, wherein the first application platform program, the API module, and the particular application program have been installed on stored in the image processing device, and wherein the first application platform program can provide provides the function program in response to accordance with a request from each of a plurality of application programs, the control method comprising the steps of:; 
 selecting, by via the processor controlling execution of the particular application program, any at least one setting of plural settings with respect to at least any one the function program provided by the application platform program; 
 receiving, via the processor controlling execution of the application platform program, an indication, from the particular application program, of the plural functions corresponding to the first program; discriminating, by the first program, at least one setting selected by the particular application program, 
 causing, via the processor controlling execution of the application platform program and in accordance with receipt of the indication of the at least one setting selected by the particular application program, identification, based on compatibility information stored by the storage unit, of whether or not competitive setting information n exists, the competitive setting information defining at least that a particular setting item corresponding to one of the plural settings selected by the particular application program at least one setting is incapable of being used with anothersetting item corresponding to another selected setting by referring to a storage unit which stores, the compatibility information, which is information concerning a combination of settings setting items capable of being used or a combination of settings setting items incapable of being used; and 
 notifying, by the first via the processor controlling execution of the application platform program, the particular application program of information concerning the competitive setting information, in a case where it is discriminated in the discriminating step that the competitive setting information exists is identified to exist. 
 
     
     
       10. A control method implemented by an image processing device which has plural includes one or more function programs controlling one or more functions and comprises a processor configured to execute and a first storage unit, the method comprising:
 controlling execution, via the processor, of an application platform program corresponding to providing at least one of plural functions of the image processing device and a function program of the one or more function programs; 
 controlling execution, via the processor, of a particular application program using that accesses the function provided by the first program; 
 controlling execution, via the processor, of an application-program-interface (“API”) module to transmit communication between the application platform program and the particular application program, wherein the first application platform program, the API module, and the particular application program have been installed on stored in the image processing device, and wherein the first application platform program can provide provides the function program in response to accordance with a request from each of the plural a plurality of application programs, the control method comprising the steps of:; 
 selecting, by via the processor controlling execution of the particular application program, any at least one setting of plural settings with respect to at least any one of the plural functions corresponding to function program provided by the first application platform program; and 
 causing resetting, by the firstvia the processor controlling execution of the application platform program, of a particular setting whose corresponding setting item is incapable of being used with a setting item corresponding to the setting selected in the selecting step by the particular application program to a predetermined attribute value, by referring to a storage unit which stores based on compatibility information stored by the storage unit, the compatibility information concerning a combination of settings setting items capable of being used or a combination of settings setting items incapable of being used. 
 
     
     
       11. An image processing device comprising:
 a storage unit that stores conflict information, which is information concerning a conflict of setting items corresponding to settings of one or more functions of the image processing device; and   a processor that controls execution of an application platform program and an application program at least to communicate with each other via an application-program-interface (“API”) module,   wherein the application platform program, the application program, and the API module are stored in the image processing device,   wherein at least one setting of the one or more functions is able to be designated in the application program,   wherein the application program calls the API module to communicate with the application platform program,   wherein the processor controls execution of the application program to cause the application program to be designated with at least one setting with respect to the one or more functions, and   wherein the processor controls execution of the application platform program to cause the application platform program to cause a reset of a particular setting whose corresponding setting item has a conflict, based on the conflict information, with another setting item corresponding to a setting designated in the application program, the particular setting reset to a predetermined setting value.   
     
     
       12. An image processing device according to claim 11, wherein the processor controls execution of the application platform program to cause the application platform program to notify the application program of the predetermined setting value. 
     
     
       13. An image processing device according to claim 12, further comprising a display unit that displays plural settings,
 wherein the display unit updates a display of the display unit concerning the particular setting that has the conflict with the setting designated in the application program, based on the notified predetermined setting value.   
     
     
       14. An image processing device according to claim 11, wherein the processor controls execution of the application platform program to cause setting of the particular setting to be in a non-selectable state. 
     
     
       15. A control method implemented by an image processing device which comprises a storage unit and a processor that controls execution of an application platform program and an application program, the method comprising:
 controlling execution, via the processor, of the application program to cause the application program to call an application-program-interface (“API”) module to communicate with the application platform program, wherein the application platform program, the application program, and the API module are stored in the image processing device;   causing the application program to input, via the processor controlling execution of the application program, at least one setting of one or more functions of the image processing device:   causing the application platform program to receive, via the processor controlling execution of the application platform program, an indication, from the application program, of the at least one setting of the one or more functions of the image processing device and input in the application program;   causing, via the processor controlling execution of the application platform program and in accordance with receipt of the indication of the at least one setting from the application program, the application program to identify, based on conflict information stored by the storage unit, whether a conflicted setting item exists, the conflicted setting item corresponding to at least one of the input at least one setting, and the conflicted setting item conflicting with another setting item corresponding to a selected setting of the one or more functions, the conflict information identifying conflicts between setting items corresponding to settings of the one or more functions; and   causing the application platform program to provide a notification, via the processor controlling execution of the application platform program, to the application program of information identifying the conflicted setting item which is identified to exist.   
     
     
       16. A control method according to claim 15,
 wherein the image processing device further comprises a display, and   wherein the method further comprises the display displaying a screen affected by the identification that the conflicted setting item exists in accordance with the notification provided by the application platform program, via the processor controlling execution of the application platform program, to the application program of the information identifying the conflicted setting item, which is identified to exist.   
     
     
       17. A control method according to claim 16, further comprising the display displaying an operation screen not including an input item allowing input of a conflicted setting item which conflicts with at least one setting item of the one or more functions. 
     
     
       18. A control method according to claim 15, wherein the one or more functions include at least a scanner function, and the identification of whether or not the conflicted setting item exists is at least in part in regard to a process associated with at least the scanner function. 
     
     
       19. A control method according to claim 15, wherein the one or more functions include at least a printing function, and the identification of whether the conflicted setting item exists is at least in part in regard to a process associated with at least the printing function. 
     
     
       20. A control method according to claim 15, wherein the conflicted setting item is related to a setting item corresponding to a setting regarding at least one of an inserting of a sheet, a book binding, or a printing in which at least two pages are laid out on a surface of one sheet. 
     
     
       21. A control method implemented by an image processing device which includes one or more functions and comprises a processor and a storage unit, the method comprising:
 controlling execution of an application program, via the processor, to cause the application program to call an application-program-interface (“API”) module to communicate with an application platform program, wherein the application platform program, the application program, and the API module are stored in the image processing device;   causing the application program to accept, via the processor controlling execution of the application program, at least one input of a setting with respect to at least one function of the one or more functions of the image processing device; and   causing the application platform program to reset, via the processor controlling execution of the application platform program, a particular setting whose corresponding setting item has a conflict, based on conflict information stored by the storage unit, with a setting item corresponding to the setting input to the application program, the particular setting reset to a predetermined setting value, and the conflict information concerning a conflict of setting items corresponding to settings regarding the at least one function of the one or more functions of the image processing device.   
     
     
       22. An apparatus that stores an application platform, a first application, and a second application, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   a storage unit that stores information indicating a conflict of settings,   wherein the application platform is executed by the at least one processor and is configured to:
 (i) receive information indicating a setting via a platform application program interface module from the first application on which the setting has been selected by a user, 
 (ii) identify, based on the stored information, another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the first application, 
 (iii) provide, to the first application, information indicating the identified another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the first application, 
 (iv) receive, via the platform application program interface module, via which the information indicating the setting is received from the first application, information indicating a setting from the second application on which the setting has been selected by a user, 
 (v) identify, based on the stored information, another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the second application, and 
 (vi) provide, to the second application, information indicating the identified another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the second application. 
   
     
     
       23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the apparatus is a copier. 
     
     
       24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein (a) the selected setting indicated by the information received from the first application and the identified another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the first application are settings of a printing function provided by the apparatus, or (b) the selected setting indicated by the information received from the second application and the identified another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the second application are settings of a printing function provided by the apparatus. 
     
     
       25. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the stored information indicates that at least some of the settings conflict with each other. 
     
     
       26. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the stored information includes combinations of settings that do not conflict with each other. 
     
     
       27. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the application platform runs on an operation system of the apparatus. 
     
     
       28. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the first application is a first setting, and the selected setting indicated by the information received from the first application is a second setting, and wherein the first setting conflicts with the second setting at least because the first setting cannot be enabled while the second setting is enabled. 
     
     
       29. An apparatus that stores a first application, a second application, and an application platform commonly operating for the first and second applications, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   a storage unit that stores information indicating a conflict of settings commonly referred to for the first and second applications,   wherein the application platform is executed by the at least one processor and is configured to:
 (i) receive, from the first application on which settings have been selected by a user, information indicating the selected settings via a platform application program interface module, 
 (ii) determine, by referring to the stored information, whether the selected settings indicated by the received information from the first application conflict with each other, 
 (iii) provide information based on the determination of (ii) to the first application, 
 (iv) receive, from the second application on which settings have been selected by a user, information indicating the selected settings via the platform application program interface module, 
 (v) determine, by referring to the stored information, whether the selected settings indicated by the received information from the second application conflict with each other, and 
 (vi) provide information based on the determination of (v) to the second application. 
   
     
     
       30. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the apparatus is a copier. 
     
     
       31. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the storage unit stores the information indicating the conflict of settings of a function provided by the apparatus. 
     
     
       32. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the application platform is configured to provide the information according to (iii), (vi), or both (iii) and (vi) based on the respective determination or determinations via the platform application program interface module that is used in (i), (iv), or both (i) and (iv), respectively. 
     
     
       33. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the stored information indicates that the settings indicated by the received information from (i), (iv), or each of (i) and (iv) conflict with each other. 
     
     
       34. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the stored information includes combinations of settings that do not conflict with each other. 
     
     
       35. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the application platform runs on an operation system of the apparatus. 
     
     
       36. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the settings indicated by the received information from (i), (iv), or each of (i) and (iv) conflict with each other at least because one of the settings indicated by the respective received information cannot be enabled while another one of the settings indicated by the respective received information is enabled. 
     
     
       37. A control method implemented by an apparatus that stores an application platform, a first application, and a second application, and includes at least one processor and a storage unit, the method comprising:
 storing, in the storage unit, information indicating a conflict of settings;   (i) receiving, via one or more of the at least one processor controlling execution of the application platform, information indicating a setting via a platform application program interface module from the first application on which the setting has been selected by a user;   (ii) identifying, based on the stored information, and via one or more of the at least one processor controlling execution of the application platform, another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the first application;   (iii) providing, to the first application via one or more of the at least one processor controlling execution of the application platform, information indicating the identified another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the first application,   (iv) receiving, via one or more of the at least one processor controlling execution of the application platform and via the platform application program interface module via which the information indicating the setting is received from the first application, information indicating a setting from the second application on which the setting has been selected by a user;   (v) identifying, based on the stored information, and via one or more of the at least one processor controlling execution of the application platform, another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the second application; and   (vi) providing, to the second application via one or more of the at least one processor controlling execution of the application platform, information indicating the identified another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the second application.   
     
     
       38. A control method according to claim 37, wherein the apparatus is a copier. 
     
     
       39. A control method according to claim 38, wherein (a) the selected setting indicated by the information received from the first application and the identified another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the first application are settings of a printing function provided by the apparatus, or (b) the selected setting indicated by the information received from the second application and the identified another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the second application are settings of a printing function provided by the apparatus. 
     
     
       40. A control method according to claim 37, wherein the stored information indicates that at least some of the settings conflict with each other. 
     
     
       41. A control method according to claim 37, wherein the stored information includes combinations of settings that do not conflict with each other. 
     
     
       42. A control method according to claim 37, wherein the application platform runs on an operation system of the apparatus. 
     
     
       43. A control method according to claim 37, wherein the another selected setting that conflicts with the selected setting indicated by the information received from the first application is a first setting, and the selected setting indicated by the information received from the first application is a second setting, and wherein the first setting conflicts with the second setting at least because the first setting cannot be enabled while the second setting is enabled. 
     
     
       44. A control method implemented by an apparatus that stores a first application, a second application, and an application platform commonly operating for the first and second applications, the method comprising:
 storing, in a storage unit, information indicating a conflict of settings commonly referred to for the first and second applications;   (i) receiving, from the first application on which settings have been selected by a user, information indicating the selected settings via a platform application program interface module;   (ii) determining, by referring to the stored information, whether the selected settings indicated by the received information from the first application conflict with each other;   (iii) providing information based on the determination of (ii) to the first application;   (iv) receiving, from the second application on which settings have been selected by a user, information indicating the selected settings via the platform application program interface module;   (v) determining, by referring to the stored information, whether the selected settings indicated by the received information from the second application conflict with each other; and   (vi) providing information based on the determination of (v) to the second application.   
     
     
       45. A control method according to claim 44, wherein the apparatus is a copier. 
     
     
       46. A control method according to claim 44, wherein the storage unit stores the information indicating the conflict of settings of a function provided by the apparatus. 
     
     
       47. A control method according to claim 44, wherein the application platform is configured to provide the information according to (iii), (vi), or both (iii) and (vi) based on the respective determination or determinations via the platform application program interface module that is used in (i), (iv), or both (i) and (iv), respectively. 
     
     
       48. A control method according to claim 44, wherein the stored information indicates that the settings indicated by the received information from (i), (iv), or each of (i) and (iv) conflict with each other. 
     
     
       49. A control method according to claim 44, wherein the stored information includes combinations of settings that do not conflict with each other. 
     
     
       50. A control method according to claim 44, wherein the application platform runs on an operation system of the apparatus. 
     
     
       51. A control method according to claim 44, wherein the settings indicated by the received information from (i), (iv), or each of (i) and (iv) conflict with each other at least because one of the settings indicated by the respective received information cannot be enabled while another one of the settings indicated by the respective received information is enabled.